Dong Quai

[Iriseyes]

Dong Quai - For Menopause And Menstruation

Dong quai, Angelica sinensis, is also known as dang gui in
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In its native country,
China, dong quai sells almost as much as the best selling
herb, licorice.

Dong quai is sometimes called 'female ginseng' because
while Chinese ginseng (panax ginseng) boosts and helps
balance male energy, dong quai can help to achieve this
balance for women. Dong quai has has been widely
appreciated for centuries in the Far East where it is used
by large numbers of the female population to invigorate
them and as a blood tonic.


Dong quai or Angelica sinensis is closely related to
Angelica archangelica which grows in Europe and is a common
garden herb there. The archangelica variety is used as a
flavouring in the liqueurs Benedictine and Chartreuse. It
is also use as a digestant in Western herbalism.


Uses Of Dong Quai

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dong quai is
primarily used for menstruation -- monthly periods -- and
menopause.


Dong Quai And Menstruation

For menstruation, dong quai can help reduce many of the
commonest symptoms of an unbalanced menstrual cycle,
including:

* suppressed menstrual flow

* abnormal uterine bleeding

* abdominal cramping, and

* dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)

Dong quai can often be very helpful at this time.


Dong Quai And Menopause

Dong quai is well recognised for its value in menopause, so
is helpful for a wide range of symptoms such as:

* hot flashes (flushes)

* night sweats

* depression, and

* fatigue

In China, dong quai is also used, for men as well as women,
for high blood pressure, poor circulation, insomnia,
abdominal cramps and anaemia.


How Much Dong Quai To Take

Dried Root: use one heaped teaspoon in a cup of water,
gently simmered (covered) for 20 minutes. Take half a cup
of the resulting mixture 3 x daily.

Fluid Extract: 10-20 drops, 3 x daily.

Tincture: 30-60 drops (roughly 1 - 1.5 teaspoons), 3 x
daily.

Raw herb (powdered whole root): 1-5 capsules, 3 x daily.

Or follow the instructions on any proprietary pack of a
dong quai product being used.

Take for a three months course and see if you find this
helps you.


Dong Quai And Side Effects

Dong quai is generally believed to be nontoxic both by
therapists who use it regularly and by scientists. In
China, very large amounts have been given to rats without
causing harm.

Side effects are rare and primarily consist of mild
gastro-intestinal upsets and occasional allergic reactions
(for example, a rash).

According to one single report, dong quai may interact with
the blood-thinning drugs Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin or
aspirin. This would increase the risk of bleeding -- but
one report is not very strong evidence.


Dong Quai - A Good Choice For Menstruation And Menopause

The use of dong quai can be traced back for over 2000 years
-- with good reason. It does not help everyone, but it
certainly helps enough to make it worthwhile trying both
for menopause and the monthly cycle. On top of that, it is
a safe herb with very few adverse reactions or side effects
reported.

Results will always be best if you follow a programme of
healthcare measures rather than just taking one herb and
hoping that will be enough. Maybe it will; but maybe not. A
programme should include measures to treat diet, exercise,
relaxation as well as taking herbs and maybe other natural
medicines. As with all things in life, the more you put in
to the planning and the execution of that plan, the more
benefits you will get out.